By Grace Hatchell
Rachel Twigg brings bold character comedy Your Choice Amanda Royce to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
There are politicians who arrive with carefully tested slogans, professionally managed social media accounts and promises vague enough to mean absolutely nothing.
Then there is Amanda Royce.
Amanda is launching her mayoral campaign in the seemingly peaceful surroundings of Coulsdon, armed with showgirl confidence, towering ambition and what appears to be only a passing acquaintance with restraint.
Written and performed by Rachel Twigg, Your Choice Amanda Royce is a new one-woman character comedy heading to ZOO Playground at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Amanda intends to tackle unemployment, obesity, poverty, loneliness and, perhaps most urgently of all, those bloody potholes. Nothing is too complicated for her manifesto, mainly because she seems entirely convinced she can fix everything.
You have to admire the confidence. Most of us struggle to organise the recycling properly, while Amanda is apparently preparing to repair broken Britain before tea.
Politics, potholes and spicy opinions
Described as bold, brash and brazen, the show follows Amanda as she attempts to sell her chaotic political vision to the public.
However, beneath the flamboyance and outrageous promises is a timely question: what happens when somebody’s political beliefs become difficult, uncomfortable or impossible to ignore?
Rachel explains that the show developed from concerns about an increasingly fractured world, in which people retreat into echo chambers and struggle to speak to anyone with opposing views.
She said:
“This is a show about how quickly we write people off after hearing a handful of their political views. But what if that person is your relative?”
That is where Your Choice Amanda Royce appears to find something more interesting than a simple political spoof. It explores the awkward reality that disagreeing with somebody does not automatically remove them from your family WhatsApp group.
Rachel argues that dismissing someone may only push them further towards extreme beliefs. Understanding does not necessarily mean agreeing—but shouting “You’re an idiot” across the Christmas dinner table has rarely been known to produce a political breakthrough.
When ambition meets reality
As Amanda’s campaign gathers pace, her ambition begins to spiral and reality starts nibbling at the edges of her grand plans.
Can she genuinely pull off the impossible? Will her political revolution transform Coulsdon forever? Or will the entire campaign collapse faster than a flat-pack wardrobe assembled without instructions?
The show promises an audacious journey through failure, hot flushes, spicy opinions and possible revolution. In other words, a fairly standard week in British politics—but with better theatrical timing.
Rachel Twigg introduces Amanda Royce
Your Choice Amanda Royce is Rachel Twigg’s first full-length show.
Rachel trained at Birmingham School of Acting and is currently Head of Studio at the National Theatre, where she has spent more than a decade supporting and developing new work.
Her comedy training includes Soho Theatre’s Character Comedy Lab, long-form improvisation with the Free Association and sitcom writing at City Academy. She has also developed Amanda Royce through sustained online character work before unleashing her upon an unsuspecting Fringe audience.
The production is directed by John Young, whose credits include work with the National Theatre, Leeds Playhouse, the Royal Court, Liverpool Everyman and Southwark Playhouse.
Grace’s early verdict
Amanda Royce arrives at the Fringe with a campaign full of enormous promises, fierce confidence and a determination to take on everything from loneliness to local potholes.
Behind the comedy, however, is a sharper look at political division, family relationships and the ease with which people can retreat into opposing camps.
Whether Amanda can turn her grand vision into reality is another matter entirely—but watching her try promises to be half the fun.
Your Choice Amanda Royce — Edinburgh Fringe details
Venue: ZOO Playground, Playground 3
Dates: 7–23 August 2026 on selected dates
Time: 5.10pm
Running time: 1 hour
Age guidance: 14+
Tickets: From £10 concessions and £12 full price
Box office: 0131 356 0349
Your Choice Amanda Royce | Edinburgh Festival Fringe
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